BREAKING NEWS: Packers Captain Charles Woodson Stands With Wisconsin's Workers

[kpete]

Source: Huffington Post

Dave Zirin
Sports correspondent, The Nation Magazine
Posted: February 20, 2011 11:50 AM

BREAKING NEWS: Packers Captain Charles Woodson Stands With Wisconsin's Workers


Already multiple members of the Super Bowl winning Green Bay Packers have taken public stands against the frightening, dictatorial, anti-union rampage of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. These pro athletes have chosen to link arms with the tens of thousands of nurses, teachers, and firefighters standing as one against Governor Walker's efforts to destroy their unions and drive them into poverty. It's been remarkable to see a steady stream of players from the only non-profit, fan owned team in American sports, lend their voice to this fight.
Yet none of the Packers who've spoken out, have had the profile, respect, or cultural currency of the latest member of the team to stand strong with Wisconsin's working families: Charles Woodson. Woodson is the team's defensive icon. A former Heisman trophy winner at the University of Michigan, NFL defensive player of the year, and perennial pro-bowler, his voice will evoke cheers at the capital and shockwaves in the Governor's office. The team's defensive captain is also the acknowledged emotion leader of the team, charged with pumping them up at halftime and making speeches after the game. He was the person who said during the playoffs, "The President doesn't want to watch us in the Super Bowl? We'll go see him! Say White House on three!" This much watched youtube moment, certainly takes on a different meaning right now.
By the way, Charles Woodson is also one of the team's union reps. Without further preamble, here is his statement announcing his stand with Wisconsin's working families. (Aaron Rodgers? You're on deck.)

STATEMENT FROM GREEN BAY PACKER CHARLES WOODSON IN SUPPORT OF WORKING FAMILIES IN WISCONSIN
Last week I was proud when many of my current and former teammates announced their support for the working families fighting for their rights in Wisconsin. Today I am honored to join with them. Thousands of dedicated Wisconsin public workers provide vital services for Wisconsin citizens. They are the teachers, nurses and child care workers who take care of us and our families. These hard working people are under an unprecedented attack to take away their basic rights to have a voice and collectively bargain at work.
It is an honor for me to play for the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers and be a part of the Green Bay and Wisconsin communities. I am also honored as a member of the NFL Players Association to stand together with working families of Wisconsin and organized labor in their fight against this attempt to hurt them by targeting unions. I hope those leading the attack will sit down with Wisconsin's public workers and discuss the problems Wisconsin faces, so that together they can truly move Wisconsin forward.
Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packer cornerback and one of the team's elected representatives to the players union.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-zirin/breaking-news-packers-cap_b_825685.html

[aquart]

1. Go Woodson!

[Bluzmann57]

2. Woodson has done great things

He donated somewhere around $2,000,000 back to the U of M I think and he has done great things to help differently abled children. And now he supports the working people of Wisconsin.
I love the Packers and always will. Now Charles Woodson makes me love them even more, if that's possible.

[Bozita]

4. Yep, he gave $2MILLION CASH to Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor

The gift was given in the name of Charles' mom.

[Bluzmann57]

5. Thanks for the clarification

I knew he did something great, but in my middle aged haze, I tend to forget details sometimes. :)
SOLIDARITY!

[Bozita]

54. Here's the video...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x556216

[Omaha Steve]

3. And I just changed from Super Bowl Champs to Solidarity for my sig avatar

K&R!

[gateley]

7. I'm sure they would understand and support your change! :-) nt

[66 dmhlt]

29. And if someone were wanting a larger version ...

[femrap]

36. thanks for the enlargement....

I would have missed the entire meaning.

Charles Woodson...what a stand-up guy. I watched the YouTube of him saying, 'On three, say White House.' Cool! I bet Obama is dreading the day he has to host the Packers.

I am so glad that the smallest NFL franchise won...and that it is a publicly owned team. Gee, isn't that Socialism????

[66 dmhlt]

52. Glad you found it helpful

[gateley]

6. They're more than Super Bowl Champs - they're champions of the

working people! God love 'em! :headbang:

[bluestateguy]

8. I was always taught that anybody in Wisconsin that goes against the Packers will be ostracized

Let's see if that ends up being true here.

[CLANG]

15. I've never had that problem, but I've heard rumors that

they ship your sorry ass to Illinois and force you to root for da BEARS!! The sheer HORROR!!

I hope Charles Woodson helps lead the Pack to a couple more Superbowls before he retires. Go Charles, GO PACK, and GO WISCONSIN WORKERS! :fistbump:

[Joanne98]

9. YAY!

[snacker]

10. Thank you , Charles Woodson!!!! n/t

[GreenEyedLefty]

11. It's been nice to see him mature so much since his Heisman trophy speech.

Good on him!

[divineorder]

12. Live Stream From Wisconsin

http://qik.com/danmotor

I was worried that there wouldn't be one. Thank you Twitter.

[SpiralHawk]

13. Patriots fans salute Packers & Packers fans - In solidarity with other Americans

[HuckleB]

50. Thanks! Cheers! -eom-

[Kolesar]

14. Perfect framing

Thousands of dedicated Wisconsin public workers provide vital services for Wisconsin citizens. They are the teachers, nurses and child care workers who take care of us and our families. These hard working people are under an unprecedented attack to take away their basic rights to have a voice and collectively bargain at work.

[Lifelong Protester]

16. This is one helluva WOW from me.

GREAT GREAT GREAT!

[Initech]

17. I support the Packers, and especially after this.

[Bozita]

18. best . corner . ever .

Plus he's a pretty damn good human being!

[JohnWxy]

19. Recommended. Stand with Wisc Public Servants against Capricious Autocratic government.

They have said they would go along with paying more for some of their benefits. All they are fighting is the stealing of their rights to collectively bargain. The Wisc Governor is a Koch Bros. anti-democracy reactionary.

recommended.

[Faygo Kid]

20. He's a terrific guy. Even if he was/is a Wolverine.

This Spartan takes his hat off to Charles Woodson.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

21. Holy shit man! You're like a 5 star general with all those hearts. As far as the article

that's excellent fucking news. :thumbsup:

[fishwax]

22. sweet! k/r for Charles Woodson and Wisconsin's workers!

:kick:

[suffragette]

23. Very well stated

and well done.

K&R

[humbled_opinion]

24. Interesting....

Didn't Wisconsin voters just vote in NOV to put these thugs in office?

Elections have consequences.... The thugs are saying that the union protestors are protesting against the "Will of the People"....

So which is it?

[dkofos]

25. Good for him. Maybe his voice will be heard.

[wutangfan85]

26. As an Ohio State Buckeyes Fan

growing I couldn't stand Woodson because he was one of those traitors from Ohio that went to play for That Team Up North, but I gotta gives kudos to him for doing this, now if they could only get Aaron Rodgers to take a stand for these people out in Wisconsin

[JustAmused]

34. Me too

I went Tennessee and played in the band. Peyton has always been my guy, and for years I hated Woodson for "stealing" Peyton's Heisman. Let me say that over his career, Woodson has proved me wrong. He is an sxcellent player, but more importantly, he has matured into what I think sports icons should be. Congratulations Charles, and to the Pack as well

[sabrina 1]

38. He did take a stand. The Union which he is a Rep. for

already came out with their own statement. It was a community statement, but as a rep for them, seems like he agreed with the statement. Wrote on OP about it a few days ago http://journals.democraticunderground.com/sabrina%201/187. Comment #11 explains what I meant about Aaron Rodgers.

[underpants]

41. I second that

[Kingofalldems]

27. Kick for Pro-Democratic Party news

[JackDragna]

28. Good on Woodson and the Packers..

..god, that hurts to say. :)

[TBF]

30. Thanks Charles - love my Packers! nt

[ej510]

31. Raiders fan here!

I am happy the brutha has decide to stand with the people. The NFL owners have been trying to bust the NFL players union for years. Last year Rodger Goodell threatened to take away the players health care. Og by the way Goodell like most of the NFL owners is a staunch right winger.

[LiberalFighter]

32. If Aaron Rodgers is a union rep for the Packers

he should try and say something soon.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[stevedeshazer]

35. Proud to be REC #100!

WOOOOOOHH!!

[ngant17]

37. now I have a favorite NFL team, bar none

I never was a big football fan, but push has come to shove, and now it's pretty admirable to see these great athletes with a sense of class-consciousness, too. I think this team will be admired and respected for many years to come, for this act of solidarity with the working people in their home state.

[madmax]

39. I will become a football fan because of this..

Thank you, Woodson and Green Bay Packers. :bounce: :yourock:

[alp227]

40. Woodson also used to play for the Oakland Raiders until 2005

the team that originally drafted him out of college. Great work Mr. Woodson! Based on what I'm reading here he's probably going to speak at the protests?

[underpants]

42. We do all realize that this is just the run up the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement

Walker is getting his pre-Presidential run Repub bone fides with this and the media gets to establish anti-union talking points. Goodelle is after all from the Republican machinery and may be planning a run for office himself.

The NFL players likewise are using this to establish their points.
Good for Woodson.

[craigmatic]

43. Makes sense the people own the team. He's just standing with his employers.

[yurbud]

44. k & r

[LawnKorn]

45. K&R

[burrowowl]

46. YEAH PACKERS!

[npk]

47. K&R for Woodson and all union workers. n/t

[Kievan Rus]

48. This Steelers fan loves the Packers after this

[Zambero]

49. Woodson's the Man!!!

This is one team captain who's got the guts and the character to stand up for what's right!

[Blacksheep214]

51. Proud to be a Packer owner!

When it comes to class, the Green Bay Packers are America's Team!

Solidarity - IBEW 40

[deacon]

53. The new America's Team. n/t

[ebbie15644]

55. Steeler fan

salutes you! and says THANKS for standing for working families!!!

[thereismore]

56. He's just a sports figure, I presume? This nation puts too much credence to sports. nt

[ScreamingMeemie]

58. You forgot the sniff at the end of your post. Go Pack GO! n/t

[LanternWaste]

62. You then have an objective list

You then have an objective list of what we may or may not validly place credibility into? Or (and I find this more likely), we oft times minimize the absolute contributions of those who work in an industry we merely do not care for... :shrug:

[OwnedByFerrets]

57. Kick

[Enthusiast]

59. K&R nt

[Vidar]

60. K&R.

[HuckleB]

61. Please join his facebook page and thank him! (Too many trolls showing up. We need to show support!)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Woodson/105606986149951